going is easier. We adjust the drag, shift gears and throttle
forward getting up to our maximum cruising speed of 10
MPH. While the going is easier we remain on alert for
snowmobilers and wildlife on the move. Most animals
enjoy the packed snow of the snowmobile trail. It allows
them to escape the deep, loose snow in the woods and
move easily from feeding to bedding areas.
On and on we go enjoying the ease of grooming the
woods roads while slipping back off into tighter woods
trails. We cross bridges, more woods roads, on into fields
and across roads, eating up trail and laying it back down.
Our goal tonight is to groom the northern 23 mile stretch
of our trails and then back home. Without any issues we
should be back home by 4 AM.
After a stop to cut a sizable tree that had fallen across
the trail we finally reach the northern most point of our
trail where we join the neighboring club. Thankfully they
have come through already and it will make it easier for
us to turn the big rig around. We stop for a short break to
stretch our legs, I enjoy some coffee I brought along and
Duke quenches his thirst by eating snow.
Back in the groomer and heading south we now look to
widen the trail to allow safe passage of snowmobile traffic
heading in both directions. Constantly adjusting the drag
we are able to keep the trail in one even plane across both
north and south bound passes.
Up ahead I see some wildlife tracks in the freshly
groomed trail. It’s been less than an hour since I’ve passed
through here and already some animal has jumped onto
the trail for easier traveling. As I get closer I can see these
tracks are of a moose. Now I am fully alert, this moose
could be just ahead and around a corner. I throttle back
and ease the groomer through the weaving trail. There
he is.… just ahead, maybe 50 feet or so. A low growl
emanates from my left, Duke sees him as well. The moose
moves on up the trail and I follow slowly at a distance. I
spot him 2 more times, well ahead of me, and finally I see
his tracks where he reluctantly leaves the trail to head back
into the woods.
Later I see another set of tracks. This time they appear
to be a fox stalking along slowly, waiting to find its next
prey. I follow this set of tracks for a long ways never
catching a glimpse of the fox or its quarry.
The trip south is much easier now since the first pass
was made going north. It allows me time to observe
the trail condition on the other pass and to see the
shimmering, sparkling dusting of snow that has settled
there. There will be good snowmobiling tomorrow after
the freshly groomed trail sets up in the freezing cold of
night.
Finally, we break out into the field we started in hours
ago. While there is just a slight breeze I can see where
some snow has drifted back into the trail in the open field.
Luckily it’s minimal and it won’t negatively affect trail
conditions. State ITS trail 105 in the East Grand Lake area
is in great condition again and ready for sledders to enjoy
the quiet, scenic beauty of the area.
We get the groomer parked and shut down, finish up
the back end paperwork, plug in the engine heater and
quickly head for the house. It’s been a good night with
minimal issues. I lie down in bed, I hear Duke settle in
too, and views from the groomer run through my mind
as I easily drift into a short, restful nap before beginning
another day.
WINTER 2016
53